Tuesday, 26 August 2025

South West Local Learning and Employment Network

Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (20:51): (1279) My amendment matter is for the Premier, and the action I seek is a clear update on whether funding will be provided for student transport in 2026 for the South West Local Learning and Employment Network. South West LLEN is part of the secondary schooling pathways reforms, and it supports school clusters in my electorate and gives rural students access to classes they simply would not have otherwise. This program brings schools together to offer VET subjects. It is a smart, collaborative model offering subjects like agricultural science. They share a teacher, and the students travel to where this class is held. But here is the issue: the program is popular, and when working well the government pulled the transport component. Make sense of that. The decision came after the 2025 families had made plans, students had committed to their studies and the local bus contractor had organised the drivers and the logistics. The Allan Labor government talked about prioritising local learning but then pulled the rug out from under the students, schools, families and local transport operators. It took relentless advocacy before $250,000 in funding was finally delivered. That is just not good enough, and that is why we need certainty for the South West LLEN now for 2026. Schools, families and students are already planning next year, and local industries such as agriculture, trades and hospitality need a skilled future workforce. We cannot afford another funding fiasco.

The government has finally responded to our relentless advocacy for rural children to have free transport to any school they go to. The Labor government have never understood life in country Victoria. I have sent dozens of representations to ministers for transport to make them aware of the reality of country families’ challenges to get kids to school and get to work and milk the cows, or sometimes both. Congratulations to these families who told me their stories so that I could be their voice here in Parliament and who have had their voices heard. This is a significant step forward in assisting families who have to juggle work and family transport to school, when they may or may not work in the town closest to the school. It is a step towards equity in education and understanding of rural living.

While this initiative will ease financial pressure for many families, it is important to acknowledge that public transport infrastructure remains sparse in remote regions like South-West Coast. In many communities in our electorate, families often rely on public vehicles due to the absence of regular bus or train services. The government needs to now recognise we need meaningful investment in regional transport networks. The next generation of farmers, tradies, chefs and healthcare workers deserve better. They deserve certainty, and they deserve to be supported.